School is never out….
“Desire is possibility seeking expression”
Greetings friends…..I had a busy week, hosted two webinars with many attendees and positive
feedback from most, if not all.
feedback from most, if not all.
I feel fortunate to be able to tap into this education, information and constantly expand
my knowledge base. Even for an old dog like me, who still likes to learn new tricks.
my knowledge base. Even for an old dog like me, who still likes to learn new tricks.
Webinars are an amazing tool and format, and what better way to bring folks
together to share information.
together to share information.
And meet some very cool photographers. Guys like Brian DeMint, with his dry,
hilarious sense of humor and amazing insights into photography.
hilarious sense of humor and amazing insights into photography.
Here’s some Brian DeMint samples…..:
I received many emails, this being only one that exemplifies the feedback and appreciation felt:
“This was an excellent presentation. I really appreciated Brian going over the
photographs in detail, demonstrating the design elements, and how they work in the
image. I could certainly use more of this type of webinar, as it really helps me to learn
photographs in detail, demonstrating the design elements, and how they work in the
image. I could certainly use more of this type of webinar, as it really helps me to learn
to see better.”
Brian spoke on elements of design and had us captivated from the start. However, he only
scratched the surface, and opened up a can of worms with many layers and possibilities
for future discussions and presentations on the many layers of photography
and photographic design.So, we’ll have him back some day soon. Stay tuned and watch for more
webinars from guys like Brian other hand picked presenters. Of course, members of my online
forum NoBsPhoto Success get access to all past webinar recordings
scratched the surface, and opened up a can of worms with many layers and possibilities
for future discussions and presentations on the many layers of photography
and photographic design.So, we’ll have him back some day soon. Stay tuned and watch for more
webinars from guys like Brian other hand picked presenters. Of course, members of my online
forum NoBsPhoto Success get access to all past webinar recordings
One question that might arise in your head is: Why bother?
Or, why bother dedicating that time to learning when I could be, gulp, watching Teevee.
If you ever find yourself asking that question, or any similar excuses for opting out
of the opportunity to feed your mind, rest assured, you’re not alone.
of the opportunity to feed your mind, rest assured, you’re not alone.
Everyone does it. Me too. We all have to struggle with the inner demons
that try to bring us down to the basest level where the masses sit and calcify.
Where in truth, the only path to success, on all levels, is to be willing to take
initiative and go 110%. Give it ten percent more that what you’re willing to go,
to what most are even willing to consider, and you’re miles ahead.
that try to bring us down to the basest level where the masses sit and calcify.
Where in truth, the only path to success, on all levels, is to be willing to take
initiative and go 110%. Give it ten percent more that what you’re willing to go,
to what most are even willing to consider, and you’re miles ahead.
School is never out.
What’s more, in the field of photography, it is rampant
with sloth and ego. In other words, we let our base animal brain take over,
or our egos become the primary mindset, where we feel that we have these
amazing talents, magical wizard like skills and powers that the common
masses cannot even comprehend, but love us for, and hold us awe and amazement.
with sloth and ego. In other words, we let our base animal brain take over,
or our egos become the primary mindset, where we feel that we have these
amazing talents, magical wizard like skills and powers that the common
masses cannot even comprehend, but love us for, and hold us awe and amazement.
Watch that trap. It is a trap, of our own doing.
It will lead you down the wrong alley, everytime. Sure, the masses can perceive us
as having great talent. But, as I always say, talent alone is not enough.
as having great talent. But, as I always say, talent alone is not enough.
There are other often ignored layers and elements to success. Prosperity, long term
customer value, marketing, the art AND the business side of photography….on and on,
the list is long. Don’t limit yourself. Personally, I keep trying to expand and growth
through self education, to keep spreading the layers of knowledge into my life. To become a better
person, and a better photographer.
customer value, marketing, the art AND the business side of photography….on and on,
the list is long. Don’t limit yourself. Personally, I keep trying to expand and growth
through self education, to keep spreading the layers of knowledge into my life. To become a better
person, and a better photographer.
Don’t limit yourself. School if never out.
If you’re gonna watch teevee, at least check out our No Bs TeeVee, that James (hodgy)
and I try to produce every week…..click image:
and I try to produce every week…..click image:
Here’s a brain dead dumb idea...some folks get mad at me because I make the occasional
spelling mistake. I’m sure others get mad because of the lack of design and slick production
values in my videos and such. Not to mention that some days I look like I just came off
a three day bender (I don’t drink fyi..). Those are just bad hair days, where, when
I decide to shoot a video, and here it comes, my main point in all this: It doesn’t matter the delivery
mechanism. It’s the value in the information and ideas that I am trying to convey.
If all that matters to you is good grammar, perfect spelling, Spielberg production, then you might want to get
a job as an english teacher. Make that your life mission, not grilling guys like me,
who, in my own defense, are really busy running my own studio. I mean, busy!
I’m too busy having fun, making profits and creating images that my clients love…
a job as an english teacher. Make that your life mission, not grilling guys like me,
who, in my own defense, are really busy running my own studio. I mean, busy!
I’m too busy having fun, making profits and creating images that my clients love…
And making money at it too. More importantly, I don’t have to sit and write this out
to share with the photographic community. Often working late into the night
and more often on Sunday mornings, my only day off.
to share with the photographic community. Often working late into the night
and more often on Sunday mornings, my only day off.
Thankfully most get it. I receive way, way more emails from photographers
who are moved, inspired, educated, motivated, and informed by my newsletters, than offended
by the occasional spelling error or my frenetic design. Thankfully.
who are moved, inspired, educated, motivated, and informed by my newsletters, than offended
by the occasional spelling error or my frenetic design. Thankfully.
For the easily offended, I offer this advice: grow a pair. Kudos to those who did.
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Last week I was in Costa Rica, for a second trip so far this year. While there,
I grabbed a few shots of Rosa and her baby.
Last week I was in Costa Rica, for a second trip so far this year. While there,
I grabbed a few shots of Rosa and her baby.
If you watch the NoBs TeeVee episode above
I discuss the background on this image. I posted this image on facebook and someone asked about
the photoshop and background to this image. So, I created a video that explained
the photoshop techniques used. Click on the image to watch it::
I discuss the background on this image. I posted this image on facebook and someone asked about
the photoshop and background to this image. So, I created a video that explained
the photoshop techniques used. Click on the image to watch it::
*******************************************************
Here’s an image from one of my sessions this week. It was the second in the series
of the babies first year that this couple have signed on for.
of the babies first year that this couple have signed on for.
Why am I telling you this? Simple. Marketing. Everything is marketing.
How I got them in, how I got them to stay, and how I get them to tell everyone.
How I got them in, how I got them to stay, and how I get them to tell everyone.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it loud and clear a million times: “Don’t go looking
for that ONE way to get a hundred clients, look for, and implement one hundred ways
to get and keep ONE client.“
for that ONE way to get a hundred clients, look for, and implement one hundred ways
to get and keep ONE client.“
They came in as referral. They signed on for the babies first year program.
They loved the experience their first time in, now their second, it’s like we’re family. Trust.
None of this, and more, left to chance. All strategic.
They loved the experience their first time in, now their second, it’s like we’re family. Trust.
None of this, and more, left to chance. All strategic.
She’s a doc, he a massage therapist. Know your clients, know about your target market.
Know what they want, even if they don’t. How? Ask questions. Find out about tattoos. And shoot
ideas that even they didn’t know they wanted. Even if it’s impromptu blouse off, bra only pose.
Know what they want, even if they don’t. How? Ask questions. Find out about tattoos. And shoot
ideas that even they didn’t know they wanted. Even if it’s impromptu blouse off, bra only pose.
yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
2 Responses to “School is never out….”
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I just love your philosophy about school never being out and sometimes learning is its own reward – I bought a collection of training CD’s from a guy called Woody Walters who does some amazing illustrations – diligently watched and learned this ( new to me technique) not sure if my clients will like and pay for this new service but mastering something new is reward enough. and I look forward to the next challenge.
To stand out from the crowd you have to do something others either cant or wont do
Keep up the good work
an avid fan
People have nothing better to do than look for spelling issues in your newsletter? What losers, I can just imagine the perfect, pristine photos they spew out. On the bright side, take it as a sign that there is some hope for them, they must be absorbing something creative while checking through your newsletters.
>
> I’ll tip the comment scales even further to the positive by telling you how much I enjoy your newsletters since recently signing up. I am no more than a serious hobbyist but find that much of your commentary regarding the business aspect of a photo career strikes a chord anyway. Attention to detail, planning, working with a subject etc etc are all essential elements to a good photo. I find myself thinking a lot more about those aspects rather than just Pointing and Shooting. And for those brave souls who take it to the next step of using those photos to earn a living, God bless ‘em for the size of their kahunas.
> I have also noticed positives coming from some initial negative reaction to your material. You are heavily into portrait work, and I am realizing that in my heart I am not. The results of a carefully planned portrait session and the subsequent touch up work don’t really turn my crank. I never realized that until I started seriously paying attention to your comments and webinars such as the great presentation by Brian DeMint. BUT….I am also realizing that you have an incredible knack for sharing knowledge in basics such as design, composition etc etc which, if I keep my mind open, can significantly improve the quality of what I do like to shoot. Thanks